Chicago Police: Shootings up, homicides down

CHICAGO — Chicago police say the city had fewer homicides during the first six months of 2014 but dozens more shooting incidents and victims than during the same period in 2013.

Gun violence in Chicago has received increased national attention since 2012 when Chicago was the only city in the nation to record more than 500 homicides. The release of the crime statistics also comes as the department has flooded the streets with hundreds of officers working overtime to combat the expected summer rise in violent crime.

The department says there were 172 homicides through June 30 — nine fewer than during the same period last year. The number of shooting incidents rose from 844 to 890 and the number of shooting victims rose from 1,030 to 1,115 for the same period.